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Choosing a Specialty Garden

from: Quentin Yu

When considering starting a garden, thematic issues always arise. Is it better to grow a multitude of types of plants or is it better to explore the immense variety of species within a particular variety of plant? It is possible to do both, of course, but if you decide to specialize in a particular type of plant, there are a few things to consider before getting started.


First and foremost, there must be a tremendous interest in the plant type. You will be embarking on growing plants that will have a life time of no less than a year and in most cases many years. You not only have to consider what will hold your interest, but your location and how the plants that you choose to grow will interact with your specific environment. Your specialty plant choice may depend on whether you have access to a large outdoor planting area or a small indoor space. Some areas will have local resources for your specialty plants. If not, you will have to use mail order and internet sources to get the information and resources you need to make your garden a successful one. Starting your garden will involve choosing a propagation method, as well. You will need to decide between growing your plants from seed and purchasing young seedlings. For some plants, propagation by rooting cuttings may work best. Seasonal climates can also play a role in picking the specialty garden that is right for you. Harsher climates may require the use of greenhouses or relocating plants from time to time.

With so many factors, how can you choose what is best? Start by reading through some of the suggestions outlined here. See if you are interested in the plants themselves. You always have to start there. These plants will depend on you for the love and care it will take to grow them successfully. Once you have an idea of a few types that will maintain your gardening interests, take a survey of your environmental conditions. What are the characteristics of your growing space? Be sure to include things like rainfall, temperature, space (both height and width,) and if they will be in containers or planted straight into the ground.

Now is the time to be most honest with yourself: what are your goals concerning your specialty garden and how much time will have to spend with the garden each day. If you are planning on reselling your plants then you may want to choose differently from someone gardening strictly for pleasure. Where will you sell, if you do, and how will you sell, meaning via the internet or directly, et cetera. Gardening for resale will be quite time-consuming, but gardening for pleasure can take just as much time. Remember that plants grow constantly and do not stop jus because you go to work or go on holiday. Choosing your specialty plant properly can help reduce any concerns you may have if you cannot attend to your garden as often as you would like.

Here are some suggestions for types of specialty gardens:

Bonsai – The ancient Japanese art of creating dwarfed plants can be exceedingly rewarding. When considering starting a Bonsai garden, assess your growing space well. This garden may take less space, but may require more time and care. Bonsai can be grown and shaped with great success with proper guidance. Bonsai also provide a great opportunity for reselling or simply deep appreciation and rexlation.

Roses – This classic specialty garden choice allows you to explore a multitude of varieties of blooms. Some grow best as bushes outdoors while others are well-suited to indoor or container growing. This specialty garden may require slightly less time than a Bonsai garden, but will need lots of attention during various stages of growth. Roses also provide a great resale potential.

Square Watermelon – Potentially, this garden would be best geared towards resale of the fruits. Square Watermelons are in demand currently and the process by which they are grown can also be applied to other fruits and vegetables. This garden requires tremendous space, full sun, and a generous water supply. This garden would be strictly seasonal in most areas and may provide large blocks of free time during the off season.

Orchids – The sheer amount of variety here is highly attractive for choosing this specialty garden. Climate is very important, as orchids are quite temperamental regarding air, temperature, and water. These plants will be container grown in most areas. As with most specialty gardens, Orchids have a high resale value and will bring great pleasure when appreciated for their beauty.

Cacti and Succulents – Ease of growing is one of the traits that makes this specialty garden a great choice. Cacti and succulents provide a wide variety of flowers, shapes, and sizes with which you can sculpt a wondrous garden in any setting. They will grow well in containers or directly planted in the ground. Some areas will require a greenhouse for outdoor propagation or relocating of containers between indoor and outdoor areas. These plants can often fend for themselves for longer periods of time during the spring and fall allowing for some gardening “down-time” if necessary. Resale using full grown plants and properly taken cuttings are both possible. Growing cacti and succulents is amazingly rewarding and can be undertaken almost anywhere.

Use these as a starting point and research each one that interests you before you begin. Once you have settled on a particular type of garden, get started! Look for online guides to help you create a successful garden for the beginning. Simply use a search engine and type in “learning Bonsai gardening” or “how to grow cacti” and gather the information you need to get started. Seek out other gardeners and ask for tips. Attend garden shows, join gardening clubs, and get your hands dirty! You will be infinitely glad you did!

Quentin Yu
Ethnomusicologist, Avid Gardener
Honolulu, Hawaii / London UK
http://quentinsreviews.bravehost.com/bonsai.html

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